We began developing a historical framework for the study of black
women by focusing on the contradiction cited at the outset: the historical role as a labourer in a society where ideals of femininity
emphasized domesticity. A dominant image of black women as
'beasts of burden'
21 stands in direct contrast to American ideals of
womanhood: fragile, white, and not too bright. The impact of this
contradiction is profound. It has already been alluded to in discussions of the values pervading much of the pejorative literature on
black women. It can also be expected to have affected self-images as
well as their interpretations and expectations of various role-relationships.

In concluding, however, it is important to explore the implications of this historical tradition for contemporary models of black
womanhood. Ladner suggests several in her study of adolescent
black girls. These revolve around the girls' images of womanhood,
goals for themselves, and their relationships to their families and to
boys. In developing their ideals of womanhood, Ladner reports that
'the strongest conception of womanhood that exists among all pre-
adult females is that of how the woman has to take a strong family
role'.
22 The pervasiveness of this image of an economically independent, resourceful, and hardworking woman was resented by
some, adopted by others, and accepted with resignation by still
others. Nevertheless, its overriding importance remained even
though Ladner observed other models which existed alongside it.
One of these other models, which appears to me as a variation, is
that of an upwardly mobile middle-class woman. Ladner points out
that education was most frequently seen as the means to this end.
The choice of this model had a serious impact on the entire life of
girls who chose it, particularly as it affected their relationship with
boys. These girls most often avoided serious involvement with boys,
particularly premarital sex and the risk of pregnancy which represented a definite end to their aspirations. Success in attaining their
middle-class goals was not only measured in terms of the training
or job acquired but also 'by the extent to which one can not only
care for himself, but help others in the family'.
23

Girls who rejected the dominant model often adopted a model
which Ladner calls a 'carefree, laissez-faire, egalitarian model of
womanhood' Different though this model was, it too encompasses
a sense of self-reliance, strength, and autonomy. This image, as

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